Objective Measures in Cochlear Implant: The Benefit of ARTFit Map in MAESTRO 7.0 Compared with a Behavioral Map, in the First Fitting

Background: Fitting of cochlear implant is a process that relies on proper feedback from the patient. Objective measurements can be a very useful tool. ARTFit is a feature which allows automatic measurement of ECAP measurements and then a map is created based on the ECAP thresholds profile. ARTFit takes compliance aspects into account.

Objective: Compare the results and benefit of the first fitting obtained through the new ARTFit in MAESTRO 7.0 with the results obtained manually

Method: 20 patients, using MEDEL device for 1 year or more were selected. We perform the ARTFit and compare an ARTFit map with that first map obtained in a traditionally, behaviorally created in the first fitting

Results: ECAP measurements were performed with ARTFit and created a ARTFit map. The duration of the ARTFit measurements was approximately 90 seg. When you compare an ARTFit map with that map, obtained manually then the ARTFit map is equally close to a patient’s fine-tuned map that a behaviorally created initial map. There were no statistically significant differences between the values obtained with the ARTFit map and behaviorally maps.

Conclusion: ARTFit makes sure that both the stimulation currents that are used during the measurement as well as the AutoART threshold that then results from the measurement and from ARTFit both are in the safe and compliance operating area. You can quickly create fitting maps based on FineGrain AutoART ECAP measures. This is especially helpful for creating an initial map or when behavioral measures are limited.